Shaquille O’Neala Corridor of Famer who gained three of his 4 NBA championships LakersHe determined to succeed in out to The Instances to share his listing of the ten finest gamers of all time, the rationale he did so was to point out his respect to Julius Erving for his listing and to let the pundits know that he supported the opinion of “the nice Dr. J.

When erving left lebron james and stephen curry out of his high 10 throughout a Recent interviewrubbed some the improper manner, together with the Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young.

Irving’s high ten was, in no specific order, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Invoice Russell, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, and Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Irving mentioned he left James and Curry off his listing as a result of they’re each nonetheless taking part in within the NBA.

O’Neill was not collaborating within the criticism, and was fast to say that anybody who disagreed with Irving ought to cease.

“Hey man,” O’Neal mentioned, “I haven’t got an issue with Dr. J’s listing.” “He’s the nice Dr. J. He paved the way in which for all of us. He can say no matter he needs and nobody ought to say something about it.”

O’Neal then gave his Prime 10, including extra dialog fodder by giving the group a primary and a second.

Learn extra: From franchises to Frosted Flakes, Shaquille O’Neal has changed what it means to be a retired athlete

He mentioned his first group, in no specific order, was Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James after which (expletive) me.”

“This isn’t disrespectful to Malone (Charles) Barkley and Kareem,” O’Neill mentioned. “Hey, that is my listing. You perceive what I am saying?”

O’Neal mentioned sitting on the bench can be Curry, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Malone and Isiah Thomas.

O’Neill mentioned, “Sure.” “And you’ll quote me on that.”

O’Neal paused for a second, including, “Additionally, it’s important to put Karim on that second group as nicely,” which, in fact, is now within the high 11.

However who counts?

“Dr. J has his listing and I’ve mine,” mentioned O’Neill. “I am good with Dr. J’s listing.”

Subscribe to the LA Times SoCal high school sports newsletter for scores, stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story initially appeared Los Angeles Times.